Clean tip

ABSTRACT

A clean tip dispenser with a spring loaded nozzle; a vertical door that slides inside of a molded slot or track located inside of the spring loaded nozzle; and a stationary base, wherein the vertical door is attached to the stationary base.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority of Provisional No. 60/209,356, filed on Jun. 5, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] This invention relates to a clean dispensing tip for use with gas-activated liquids, expanding foams, creams, gels and the like, which are stored inside containers and expelled through an open nozzle.

[0004] 2. Brief Statement of the Prior Art

[0005] The term “container” as used herein and in the claims, is to be interpreted as being inclusive of glass or plastic bottles, metallic cans, jars, cups, bottles and the like.

[0006] The term “cap” as used herein and in the claims, is to be interpreted as being inclusive of a cap closure such as a snap fit, push-pull, twist open, or the like, used for providing a closure over a container as described above.

[0007] One of the problems with open nozzle tips for dispensing gas-activated liquids, expanding foams, creams, gels and the like, which are stored inside containers and expelled through an open nozzle is that the nozzle always remains open and the product inside the nozzle can dry out during periods of non-use., The accumulating product inside the nozzle can cause a blockage and clog the opening. The open nozzle can also be unsanitary and accumulate dust and dirt while the product is being stored. After being released, air expanding foams and gels such as shaving creams, and the like, continue to expand long after the product activator has been depressed and released. The expanding foam within the nozzle track continues to expand even after the tip of the nozzle is wiped completely clean directly after use. Unless a consumer take the time to rinse and wipe the nozzle out completely, at a point in time long after each usage, the air activated product will continue dispensing from the container, and thus reappear.

[0008] These problems have not been satisfactorily resolved by the prior art designs. A need therefore exists and it is an object of the present invention to provide a clean tip that solves the problems present in the prior art.

[0009] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] To meet the above expressed needs and objects, this invention provides a clean tip and dispenser that prevents unwanted air expanding foams, gels and the like from escaping from a container.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] The invention will be described with reference to the figures of which:

[0012]FIG. 1a is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0013]FIG. 1b is an exploded elevational view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0014]FIG. 1c is a plan view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0015]FIG. 1d , is an elevational cross section view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0016]FIG. 1e is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0017]FIG. 2a an elevational cross section view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0018] FIG. 2 b is a plan view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 3a is a front elevation view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 3b is a side elevational cross section view of yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention;

[0021]FIGS. 4a-3 c are front elevational, top plan and perspective views of a further embodiment of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0022] As will be appreciated, the clean tip can be of other configurations consistent with the descriptions herein. Therefore the device of the present invention, while not limited thereto, has for purposes of illustration and description been presented to conform to the drawings attached hereto.

[0023] Turning to FIGS. 1a-c, there is shown a unique design of a nozzle and base combination that eliminated the problems described in the prior art. The present invention provides a vertical door that is attached to a stationary base piece. When the spring loaded top nozzle is depressed, the stationary vertical door slides inside of a molded slot or track that is located on the inside of the top nozzle. The vertical door is designed with an open hole that lines up with the nozzle opening when the top nozzle is in the down or depressed position. When the top nozzle is in the up or off position, the stationary inside door blocks the nozzle exit and prevents product from escaping there from.

[0024] In addition to the inside vertical sliding door this unique design of the present invention has a flexible valve that is placed at the very end of the nozzle outlet hole and located on the top dispensing piece. This soft valve has a self-closing slit, flap or hole when in a relaxed state, due to the elasticity and memory of the material. This valve in combination with the internal sliding door eliminated the problems that are inherent with the prior art open nozzles of this type.

[0025] The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the Claims appended hereto and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A clean tip dispenser comprising: a spring loaded nozzle; a vertical door that slides inside of a molded slot or track located inside of said nozzle; a stationary base; wherein said vertical door is attached to said stationary base. 